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Michael Billings
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| Mr. Billings is currently a 4th Degree Black Belt in Ed Parker's American
Kenpo Karate. He is privileged and honored to be a student of Tommy Burks,
a longtime private student of Mr. Parker's. Starting Kenpo in 1979, he
has trained consistently in the Art for over 21 years. With over 30 years
in Kenpo and various other martial arts, including Japanese Shotokan Karate
(1971) and Korean Tae-Kwon-Do (1974), he opened the doors of his school
in Austin, Texas in November 1997.
His experience as a restraint training instructor and consultant have led to specializing in grafting Kenpo self-defense techniques with contact manipulation, contact immobilization, contact control, and releases. This is also reflected in his use of the clubs for similar applications. Mr. Billings has also worked in a psychaitric hospital setting as a Unit Supervisor, and he was a social worker or therapist for approximatly eleven years. Starting in 1989, he began work with the Criminal Justice system in Texas. He is currently a Hearing Analyst for the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles in Austin, Texas. Starting Kenpo in 1979, he was promoted to the rank of 1st Deg. Black
Belt in 1987 by a panel of Mr. Stephen Labounty, Mr. Tom Kelly, Mr.
Gary Swan, and Mr. Brian Duffy. He has subsequently been promoted to
the 4th Deg. Black Belt. Mr. Billings has also earned advanced rank and/or studied Tae Kwon Do, Japanese Shotokan Karate, Hung-Gar Kung Fu, Choy Li Fut, Tai Chi, and Ba-Gua (Pa-Kua), Wally Jay's Small Circle Jujitsu, Judo, and others. He has also been an instructor and consultant for prevention and management of aggressive behavior, a women's self-defense instructor at the World Gym, has taught for THEOS (self-defense for older and/or impaired individuals), and has voluntered to teach Kenpo to underpriviledged youth through church organizations. He is also a psychology of aggression instructor and has received training regarding the Texas Penal Code on weapons, assault, and self-defense. His website is currently located at kenpo-texas.com and he does have a paper regarding Stretching and Flexibility in the KenpoNet Flame. |